Table of contents for Issue 1108 in Closer

While they arrived to much fanfare on their Nigerian tour – greeted by crowds of well-wishers and supporters – Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's trip couldn't be further away from the frosty reception Harry received during his visit back to the UK last week. But while the couple continue to fine-tune their carefully curated image as America's new golden couple and all-round Hollywood humanitarians, Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, were thrown an unexpected curveball last week when it was revealed how a new documentary would delve into their lives Stateside – promising to uncover the untold truths behind the walls of their Montecito mansion. And now Paul Burrell, who worked with the Royal Family for two decades, first as the Queen's footman then as Princess Diana's butler and “rock”, says…

'THERE WILL BE TWO FLOWER GIRLS – OUR TWO LITTLE GIRLS' She's been open about wanting to expand her family of three, and as she embraces life in Australia, fans are hoping Charlotte Crosby might share the good news sooner rather than later. Having shot to fame on Geordie Shore, Charlotte, 33, is currently in Cairns, Queensland, to film the upcoming spin-off, Aussie Shore. Now a mum, having welcomed her daughter Alba in October 2022, Charlotte's latest reality TV stint will likely look a little different from when she made her debut on Geordie Shore back in 2011. No longer one of the partygoing housemates, Charlotte will instead be “House Boss”, helping the 10 fresh-faced Australian singletons cope with the highs and lows of living, working and partying together. LOVED-UP…

Standing in the river, Closer writer Mel Fallowfield watches as Pooja the elephant repeatedly bobs her head, her tail swishing in a monotonous rhythm. Other than these repetitive movements, she stands stock still. These are all well-known signs of distress – and yet the guide tries to tell tourists, at the Millennium Elephant Foundation in Sri Lanka where she's housed, that they are signs of happiness. Around the corner another elephant stands, hitting himself with bamboo – he can't move as he's chained by his leg to a tree. Another chained elephant strains repeatedly in a desperate bid to move. These sickening scenes are tragically played out throughout southeast Asia. The MEF website boasts that they are an organisation and charity set up to rescue and care for captive Asian…

PROUD MODEL REAL LIFE When Mya Ann sufferedpain in her left side, doctorsfirst put it down to unbalanced hips. But after developing a lump years later, tests revealed that Mya, then 21, had cancer. Scared for her health, Mya was also concerned about how she was going to make money. She had been successfully building her OnlyFans account, with her long brunette hair being her best feature. After chemotherapy, however, Mya was left bald. But instead of shying away, she made the decision to continue posting saucy pics – showing off her bald head – and was delighted by the positive response… now she rakes in almost £70,000 a year on the site. LIGHTBULB MOMENT Mya says, “It was a huge shock finding out I had cancer. I was worried how…

It's no secret that you don't get much sleep or R&R in your first few months of motherhood. So Emily Atack took the opportunity to get in a few final moments of leisure last week at a luxury getaway with her partner, scientist Alistair Garner. Taking to Instagram, the heavily pregnant 34-year-old, who's expecting a baby boy, thanked the staff at The Tawny Hotel for a wonderful stay, saying they “couldn't have been lovelier helping me waddle around, and bringing pizza to our room”. The former Inbetweeners star has previously said she's “never been so happy and utterly terrified at the same time” to be expecting her first child. Meanwhile, during an appearance on Loose Women in March, she explained how pregnancy had made her reassess her priorities and take…

SEEING DOUBLE Catherine Zeta-Jones' daughter Carys looked the spitting image of her mum when she borrowed the slip, previously worn at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards, for her 21st birthday celebrations. HEIDI & LENI'S LBD Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, 20, was thrilled to attend her prom in her 50-year-old supermodel mum's bandeau dress from 1998. “Prom night in Mama's dress,” she said. LADIES IN RED Brooke Shields, 58, was “proud mama” when daughter Rowan, 21, borrowed her 1998 Golden Globes gown for her prom. “Nothing could have prepared me to see my daughter wearing it,” she said. ROYAL FLUSH Kate, 42, and her mum Carole Middleton, 69, both looked pretty in pink in the same Me+Em shirtdress, which was first seen on the Princess of Wales. PURPLE REIGN “This was…

At the beginning of this year, Danielle and husband Michael sold their family home in Birmingham, moved into rented accommodation and are now building their dream home elsewhere in the city. She explains, “Someone came in with a good offer, so we thought, 'We'll take it and go and build our dream home somewhere else'. It's exciting, I'm up for anything.” The design for their new home looks nothing short of incredible, with plans for an outdoor swimming pool and sunken firepit. She says, “It's going to be hard work and it will be 10 months or so before it's ready, but it will be worth it when it's done. The kids are excited because they can design their own bedrooms. We can't wait!”…

“Crispy garlic mushrooms served with poached eggs is a classic. You can make this throughout the year – just mix up the greens. Prepare the quick pickled shallots in advance and then make the rest of the salad when you are ready to eat.” EMILY EZEKIEL'S MUSHROOM & KALE SALAD WITH POACHED EGG STEP 1 Place the shallots and vinegar in a small bowl, add a good pinch of salt and set aside. STEP 2 Place a large frying pan over a high heat, add the butter, olive oil and mushrooms and fry for 2 mins. Add the garlic and fry for another 5 mins, or until the mushrooms are golden and crisp. STEP 3 Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over a high heat. Break…

Microfeminism is the notion of subtly but consciously supporting women. It could be calling out when a man takes credit for a female colleague's idea, or asking women in the room to contribute ideas first. I was raised by a wonderful father, I've got great brothers and I'm married to a good man – but I'm also a feminist, because we don't yet have equality. I have my own experiences of sexist comments and mansplaining. At a radio station I guested on, there was a real pecking order – men were always described as “hosts” and women as “co-hosts”, so I made a point of describing women as “hosts” whenever I spoke about them. Similarly, in TV presenting duos, the man is often listed first, so I switch that around.…

With the average UK wedding costing £20,700, and the cost of attending for guests rocketing to £981, the season of “I Dos” can be eye-wateringly expensive. Luckily, there are clever tricks you can use to slash costs without compromising. We asked Guides For Brides founder Alison Hargreaves and wedding expert Nikita Thorne how to save on the big day. SAVE THE DATE “Midweek weddings are becoming more popular because they can save you a lot on venue costs,” says Nikita. “Most venues set prices according to demand, with Mondays to Wednesdays being the lowest cost, followed by Thursdays and Sundays. If you are concerned about guests being able to attend, choosing a midweek date during school holidays is a good bet since it's less disruptive. Give plenty of notice so…

FASHION OCCASION SPECIAL…

Former Emmerdale star Micah Balfour joins EastEnders as George Knight's estranged son, Junior. This follows an intense few weeks where George discovered his adoptive father, Eddie, murdered his biological dad – and George reached out to Junior during a rough period where he also lost his adoptive mother, Gloria. On getting the role, Micah says, “I grew up watching the show, so walking onto the Square for the first time was the most surreal experience of my career! Junior is an exciting character to play as he's a complex man, and he's going to cause a bit of a stir!” FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

What was it about this role? I really enjoyed playing Emma. Every role is different – I'm not a bomb disposal expert in real life, but neither am I a mother of two, so all the parts you play are challenging, but there was just something about this one. The plan was not to do a big job after filming the second series of Trigger Point, but then the scripts for Insomnia came in and completely scuppered all of that – the project was just too good to resist. Tell us about Emma… I wasn't sure what to do with my accent – because I'm fairly common and she's not! But I also didn't want to make Emma really posh. Yes, she's a lawyer and she might have a big…

1. These terms and conditions together with any specific rules displayed or referred to on the relevant page of Closer magazine in respect of a prize draw or competition (a “Prize Draw Notice”) and H Bauer Publishing's General Terms and Conditions (available online at http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html) are the prize draw rules (the “Rules”) that apply to each and every prize draw and/or competition of any nature included in Closer magazine (a “Prize Draw”) unless otherwise expressly stated in the Prize Draw Notice. By entering a Prize Draw, entrants agree to be bound by these Rules. 2. Each Prize Draw is organised by Closer magazine, part of H Bauer Publishing Limited of registered address Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. In the event of a discrepancy between these…

'Name?' 'Er, Prince Harry.' 'You're not coming in mate… next! Name?' 'Jodie Marsh.' 'Ahh, Ms Marsh, come right in, make yourself at home!' Jeez, Ed, that sounds boring – an anniversary show to celebrate maths? We'd love to be there with you, but we've got book club. Enjoy! GRUMPY GRAM OK, so no guesses as to the culprit who chewed up Alicia's brand-new designer specs… you very naughty (but cute as a button) boy!…

The difficult situation between Kyle Walker's wife of two years, Annie Kilner, and influencer Lauryn Goodman – with whom he has fathered two children – could soon play out on an international level should both mothers decide to support the England footballer at the 2024 UEFA Euros next month. And now the drama has taken an unexpected twist as an insider tells Closer that Kyle's family have made it clear that they want everyone to play happy families in front of the cameras. It had been reported that England bosses are planning on preventing Lauryn, 33, from attending England's football matches with her and Kyle's son Kairo, amid fears that her presence could prove a hindrance. SMITTEN While it was reported that “any distraction will be totally clamped down on”,…

'THEY'VE URGED HER TO STOP BEFORE SHE INFLICTS ANY LONG-TERM DAMAGE' Kim Kardashian is more than used to making headlines, sparking controversy and “breaking the internet” with every look. Her outfit at the Met Gala, fashion's biggest and most high-profile night, was always going to make a splash. But when the reality star arrived at the New York event last week, it was her waist that got everyone talking – and not for the first time… On the green carpet, Kim wore a silver corsetted John Galliano dress with a grey shawl cardigan which highlighted Kim's extreme hourglass figure. The 43-year-old has form when it comes to pushing her body to extreme lengths for the Met Gala – she had to take breathing lessons to sit down in her 2019…

Love dramas They surprised and delighted us with their redcarpet debut last month – confirming rumours of a romance that had been bubbling ever since they first met on Dancing On Ice at the beginning of the year. And now, Claire Sweeney, 53, and Ricky Hatton, 43, have reached another important milestone in their relationship, after taking their first ever holiday together. Posting snaps from their trip to Tenerife, the pair looked delighted to be in each other's company, with fans taking to Claire's comments section to tell her that she was “glowing”. And according to insiders, her friends and family can see it too. We're told the Coronation Street star is more loved-up than ever, and – having had her fair share of bad luck in the past –…

She looked beautiful in a Victoria Beckham gown at the Met Gala, but it was Phoebe Dynevor's diamond ring which took the spotlight. The Bridgerton star sparked speculation that she's engaged to 28-year-old boyfriend Cameron Fuller as she showed off her latest sparkler. Now her mum, Coronation Street actress Sally, appears to have confirmed the news – by posting a photo of Phoebe cosying up into Cameron's arms, in what could be a post-proposal shot, on Instagram. Phoebe, 29, and Cameron – the actor son of Hollywood producer Brad – have been dating for over a year, making their debut at Wimbledon last July.…

When Lisa James looks in the mirror, she can barely believe that the smiley face and slender size 8 figure in the reflection is her. Just a few years earlier, Lisa, 34, was a size 18, and her confidence was at rock-bottom. Weighing 13st 10lbs, Lisa was stuck in a vicious cycle of emotional eating and hiding away at home. Single and unhappy, the thought of turning 30 filled her with dread as she compared herself to happily settled friends. Determined to make a change before the big day, Lisa joined Slimming World, and after overhauling her diet and finding a love of exercise, dropped to 9st 3lbs. Now, more confident than ever, Lisa is happy with a new partner and mum to twin girls. Lisa says, “Turning 30 felt…

Presenter Danielle Mason, 41, lives in Bracknell with her two children, Rudy, 12, and Delilah, 10. She says, “While I know there are increased risks of getting skin cancer from going on sunbeds, I still use them and will continue to do so, for several reasons. “One is simply vanity. I look much better with a tan, without one I'm so pale that I look almost ill. And, for me, fake tan doesn't work – I don't like the smell, it doesn't last, it comes off on your sheets and doesn't look natural. MUCH-NEEDED BOOST “My preference is to get a tan from being in a hot country and sunbathing. But I live in England, where it rains for the majority of the time, so instead I use a sunbed…

She has over one million followers on Instagram thanks to sharing her delicious and nutritious recipes, and now Emily English – aka Em The Nutritionist – has released her debut book, jam-packed with even more food inspiration. Emily's ethos is that great food doesn't need to taste bland. She packs her recipes with all the nutrition we need, while also creating such beautiful flavours that every meal feels like a treat. Read on for her advice. EAT MORE PURPLE! “I always ask my clients, 'When was the last time you ate something purple?' We often fall victim to eating the same fruit and vegetables, and while they're frequently overlooked, purple-coloured foods are really high in antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are incredibly anti-inflammatory and fantastic for nourishing not just your skin,…

PAUSEWORTHY Mallow & Marsh's Coconut Mallow features a creamy coconut marshmallow, surrounded by a smooth fairtrade Belgian milk chocolate. Available as bars (£1.35/35g) or bite-sized in sharing pouches (£2.50/100g). From Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Ocado. CHILLED BITE Doughlicious Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites (£4.50 from Tesco and Ocado) in Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Truffle flavours contain just 100 calories per piece. The perfect sunny day treat! TO TOP IT OFF Kallø's New Thai Curry Veggie Cakes are made from lentil flour and have a delicate coconut curry flavour. At only 40 calories per cake, they're great with prawns and sweet chilli sauce. From Ocado, £2.75.…

Disappointed by dating apps? Join the club! I really don't know anyone who enjoys using them – they're more a necessary evil. But while it's natural to feel despondent about their ability to find us love, a group of disgruntled users in the US have taken things a step further, launching a class-action against Match Group, who own Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid. They've accused them of using a “predatory business model” and of doing everything to keep singles hooked on using their apps. In addition, they're claiming Hinge – and its promise that it' “designed to be deleted” – is doing the exact opposite. They have a point! I've written extensively about how dating apps are designed to keep us using them – just like social media and gambling ones.…

Apparently, workers have paid £5.8 billion more than they should have to HMRC, because so many are on the wrong tax code. Here's what you need to know… ● FIND YOURS Check your payslip, it should be near your National Insurance number and be made up of numbers and letters. ● LOOK FOR THIS In 2024-25, the most common tax code is 1257L – that's right if you have one employer, no work perks, live in England or Northern Ireland and earn under £100,000. It's S1257L in Scotland and C1257L in Wales. ● KNOW COMMON ERRORS Some common reasons for ending up on the wrong tax code are starting a new job, having a second job or changes to benefits you receive. If any of those apply to you, check…

PINKY PERFECT FOR WORK OR PLAY OCCASION SPECIAL…

TV WEEK: 18-24 MAY 1 INTO THE AMAZON WITH ROBSON GREEN NEW SERIES OFF ON AN ADVENTURE TUE 21 MAY, 9PM, CHANNEL 5 With roughly 2.3 million square miles of the Amazon Rainforest spread across eight countries in South America, Grantchester star Robson Green embarks on an epic journey – exploring one of the world's most captivating and diverse ecosystems. “I've got a feeling this adventure is going to be spectacular,” he says, kicking things off in Manaus. In episode one, we're treated to epic tree climbing, sloth holding (“Like looking in a mirror – he's a bit tired…”), stepping on angry wasps and (episode two), giant spiders… All washed down with fascinating facts about deforestation and the like, while meeting the locals. An ace three-part series – don't miss! 2 LATER……

IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Abundance and blessings are yours. All you have to do is make a wish, believe in yourself and watch it all come true! This might mean having to stretch yourself a bit further than you're used to. That said, nothing ventured, nothing gained! THIS WEEK'S CELEB STAR SIGN TAURUS 20 APR – 20 MAY In order to get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done. This week offers you the chance to take a very worthwhile chance. Take action now! If you snooze on an exciting opportunity, you'll likely lose. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUN Are you ready for change in one way, form or another? Soon, dear Gemini, you'll be able…

NEWS Chloe Sims has had her fair share of rocky relationships in the past, with plenty of them playing out on TV. When the House Of Sims star started dating Lionel Richie's eldest son Miles, 29, four months ago, she hoped things might be different, but now they are facing new rumours about the state of their relationship. A source close to the 42-year-old former TOWIE star says, “Chloe and Miles are still dating. They never put an official status on things and Chloe doesn't feel like she needs a status to know she's happy. Despite the rumours they've split, friends say Chloe and Miles are still very close.” Apparently, Chloe's recent trip to the UK – having moved out to LA with her entire family to film their show,…

'I HAVEN'T DATED AS A MUM, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT' Just months ago, Lauren Goodger admitted that she still loved her ex-boyfriend and father of her daughter, Charles Drury. But Closer can exclusively reveal that Charles has started a new relationship of his own – and Lauren is now also determined to find love. Taking to his private Instagram last week, Charles, 26, shared a loved-up snap of himself kissing a mystery brunette, with the caption, “The best things happen when you least expect it, the future looks good with you by my side”. The news likely came as a hard blow for Lauren, 37, who admitted in an interview in December that the builder would always be a part of her life. The TOWIE star – who was…

Alex and Olivia Bowen are truly Love Island's greatest success story. They may have finished series two as runners-up, but since then the pair have gone from strength-to-strength – tying the knot in 2018 and welcoming their son Abel four years later. The secret to their success? Putting the work in. Reflecting on a recent relationship overhaul, Olivia, 30, tells Closer, “We've really honed into our relationship at the moment. We realised that everything was getting put before it and that does take its toll. So we started putting the work in and just made sure that we appreciate each other – we spoke a lot about our different love languages, actually. “Alex's way of expressing his love is physical touch and mine is acts of service. Knowing what makes…

When we speak to Danielle Lloyd, she is just three weeks post-surgery after having the gynaecological problems she has struggled with for years corrected. But she says the surgery has left her feeling pain-free, positive and ready to put the past year behind her. She says, “The operation went well and I am feeling great. I was really nervous about the anaesthetic but it was all fine and already I'm feeling so much better.” HEALTH FEARS After struggling with endometriosis for years [a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes], Danielle has long struggled with heavy and extremely painful periods. Last year, after heavy bleeding and blood clots that lasted over three weeks, Danielle was taken to…

NATURE'S MULTIVITAMIN “Brimming with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, I call this chopped quinoa salad Nature's Multivitamin, because it really does contain everything we need to feel our best. Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of magnesium and give a gorgeous crunch to this salad. Leave undressed and store for up to three days in the refrigerator for leftovers, and pair with additional protein if desired.” SERVES 4, READY IN 15 MINUTES ● 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds ● 1/2 cucumber ● 1 red pepper, cored, deseeded and diced ● 2 tbsp capers ● 1/2 red onion, finely diced ● 80g pomegranate seeds ● Handful of mint leaves ● Handful of parsley leaves ● 400g can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed ●…

INSIDE LAURA'S FRIDGE ● Double cream ● Butter ● Ketchup ● Burger sauce ● BBQ sauce ● Goat's cheese ● The Collective Suckies Yoghurts ● Greek yoghurt ● Steak ● Chicken fillets ● Salmon ● Meat pate ● Asparagus ● Onions ● Pomegranate ● Cheddar cheese ● Strawberries ● Blueberries ● Rocket ● Sweet potatoes ● Semi-skimmed milk ● Spinach ● Potatoes ● Orange juice ● Apple juice VERDICT CLOSER NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS: “Laura's fridge contains plenty of fruit, dairy and lean proteins like chicken and salmon, which are important in a healthy diet. She could add more veg and plant-based proteins such as pulses and tofu, and widen her carb choices with brown rice, bulgur wheat, rye bread and wholewheat pasta, to increase the nutrients in her diet.…

Life balance WELLBEING YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES & FAMILY LIFE WITH COUNSELLOR, PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND LIFE COACH ANNA WILLIAMSON As a supporter of the NSPCC, a trained ChildLine counsellor and a mother of two, I know how important this topic is. The horse has already bolted and we're trying to claw back some control. Smartphones are designed to trigger reward hormones, so children want more and more, which creates attention problems, and kids are becoming desensitised to troubling behaviours and language, which is a huge concern. I believe tech companies should be asking for proof of age, like banking apps do, when opening a social media account. That would also allow people to be held accountable for improper usage. We need to push for that, but parents need to implement rules…

A PLACE IN THE SUN PRESENTER JEAN JOHANSSON, 42, ON HOW LOOKS SHE AFTER HER BODY AND MIND THE SPANISH SIESTA CULTURE IS A GREAT WAY TO LIVE… Things start early, they stop in the middle of the day, before going back to work and eating around 9pm. It's all about sharing tapas plates, no one's on their iPads and it brings families closer. As soon as I'm in Spain, Italy or Cyprus, my shoulders are back and my mood has changed. There's a lot to be said for vitamin D. RUNNING HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL STRESS-BUSTER… I discovered it during lockdown, and it's been life-changing. Over the past year I've lost 10kg, I've done it without trying. I'm feeling the benefits all over, all my clothes fit better. MY…

OCCASION SPECIAL GET HER LOOK NICKY HILTON Instead of going for head-to-toe florals, take tips from Nicky and opt for a subtle printed option to add a touch of spring to your outfit. Style up your ensemble with a co-ordinating bag, gold earrings and elevated wedges to make it suitable for any upcoming event. IN THE NEWS… DRESSED TO IMPRESS With summer soirées creeping up on us, it's time to have the little ones prepared. And no matter the event, Primark has you covered. From pastel suits perfect for christenings to playful floral garden party dresses, they've got something for every occasion. Even better, they have some great accessories, including flower hair clips and cork sandals, to provide the best outfit finishing touches. EASY TO MIX AND MATCH…

You're back with a brand-new series, and a new presenter… PATRICK GRANT, 52: Kiell has been absolutely brilliant. We've always had such great presenters on the show, and he is the first actor we've had – drier than our two recent hosts, I certainly enjoyed it. ESME YOUNG, 75: I think Kiell and the whole team are great – without them, there wouldn't be a programme. And this is a special edition happy 10th birthday! PATRICK: I am absolutely delighted that 10 years on, the show is still so popular. I am super proud of it – it's one of the warmest, kindest shows on telly and has done so much to transform people's attitudes towards clothing and textiles. ESME: Patrick, I think you've been a big influence on sustainability.…

MUST READ The Happy Hour (CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN) Jess is happy working in Greenwich market. Then, one Sunday, she's thrown together with handsome Ash, as they chase a pickpocket through the market. Before long they are making a habit of running into each other at the same time each week – and Jess looks forward to it more and more. But Ash isn't telling her everything – can she discover the truth before it's too late? A sweet, uplifting read! OUTDOOR DAYS OUT Go Ape Visit the UK's top outdoor activity, boasting 36 spots around the UK, from mystical forests to stately homes and concrete jungles. Swing, climb and soar through over 10 epic challenges designed to entertain the whole family – from Forest Segways to the High Ropes, there's something…